Rory McIlroy’s rise to world No. 1: what will he achieve next after defending the CJ Cup title? | Golf News

McIlroy replaced Scottie Scheffler at the top of the world rankings after defending his CJ Cup title, following wins at the RBC Canadian Open and Tour Championship earlier this year; The quadruple winner occupies the place of world No. 1 for the ninth time

There was no doubt that Rory McIlroy was capable of returning to world number 1, although he was surprised by his quick return to the top of the sport.

When McIlroy won the CJ Cup in Las Vegas last October, his historic 20th PGA Tour victory, the award was simply moving back into the world’s top 10 after more than a year of inconsistency with his swing and results.

Fast forward 12 months and McIlroy successfully defended his title, earning a one-shot victory over Kurt Kitayama in South Carolina to make a winning start to the 2022-23 PGA Tour season, with his latest success also seeing him secure the world No 1 place for the ninth time.

Kurt Kitayama (right) narrowly missed out on a first PGA Tour win

The victory follows a winning return to the RBC Canadian Open in June and a historic third FedExCup title at the Tour Championship in August, as well as top-eight finishes in all four majors, with a few stellar months enough to edge out Scottie Scheffler and reclaim No. 1 for the first time since July 2020.

Few could have predicted the 2022 McIlroy would have after a rather disappointing start to the year, with top-13 finishes in his first four global starts followed by a frustrating week in a Players Championship affected by weather conditions and a missed cut at the Valero Texas Open.

“If someone had told me on Friday night at the Valero Texas Open when I missed the cut that I would be world No. 1 by October, I would have asked him what he was smoking because I wouldn’t have it. not believed!” McIlroy admitted after his CJ Cup title defense.

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Rory McIlroy reveals what it’s like to return to world number 1 after retaining the CJ Cup title.

A runner-up finish at the Masters the following week kicked off his year, while McIlroy’s win in Canada in June saw him overtake Greg Norman in the PGA Tour’s all-time win rankings the same week as the LIV Golf Invitational Series. , supported by Saudi Arabia. by Australian launched.

McIlroy felt he had squandered an opportunity for a first major title since 2014 the following month when he failed to turn part of the Open’s 54-hole lead into a fifth major victory, although he used disappointment as motivation for a dominating second half of the year.

The 33-year-old entered the season-ending PGA Tour championship seventh in the standings and six strokes behind Scheffler, a four-time winner in 2022, to recover from playing his first two holes in four to beat the American. by a blow.

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The best of the action from the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, where Rory McIlroy won the FedExCup

McIlroy traveled across Europe to post three consecutive top-four finishes on the DP World Tour, before returning to form at Congaree Golf Club last week to claim a third victory in a much improved 2022.

“The three wins I’ve had have to go out there and earn them, right?” McIlroy explained. “I shot 62 to win in Canada, I shot 66 in the Tour Championship and came out with a lead today [Sunday of the CJ Cup] and shot four pennies to win.

“I think that’s been the most satisfying thing. I got into position all those three times and I went out there and did the job and did what I needed to. That are great progress and big steps in the right direction.”

Rory McIlroy birdied four times in a five-hole stretch on his back nine, before a bogey-bogey finish saw him complete a final round 67

McIlroy’s next scheduled world appearance is on the DP World Tour at the season-ending DP World Tour Championshiplive on Sky Sports from November 17-20with the Northern Irishman currently top of the season standings and looking to win the Order of Merit for the fourth time.

When McIlroy will play him after that has yet to be confirmed, with the coming weeks and months being used to celebrate a stellar year that has been full of progress and positives.

“Thinking about the past 12 months, there are a lot of people who deserve a lot of applause,” McIlroy admitted. “I’m the one who sits here and takes them, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that people aren’t aware of.

“All of those things combined are just as important as what I do to try and get those wins. It’s a team effort and I think every time I think about it that’s what makes me a bit muffled and emotional because it’s really cool to be on this journey with other people that you want to be on the journey with.”

Rory McIlroy celebrated his third win of the year with caddy Harry Diamond

McIlroy’s string of strong performances means he could retain his world No.1 ranking until 2023, when he will have more success – including a long-awaited Grand Slam at the Masters – in his sights.

“It’s just been a crazy six months,” McIlroy said. “I figured out some things with my game and I just had a really good race.

“Everything seems to have come together for me and today [CJ Cup victory] was just a continuation of what I felt like I had been playing for the past few months. Now it’s about moving forward and trying to keep going.”